July 13, 2009 (Whistler, BC) – After the success of on-line registration at Karelo.com for the July 19th mountain bike race at Whistler Olympic Park, Team Whistler has decided to extend the electronic option to register for the race until July 17 at midnight. There are four options for registration:

– online at Karelo.com until midnight July 17th
– by downloading the Registration form from TeamWhistler.ca and faxing it
– in person at Snow Covers (Whistler or Vancouver) before July 18th
– in person at Whistler Olympic Park
– Saturday July 18th (1 – 3 pm – *new option*)
– July 19th starting at 8am and lasting until approximately one hour before each race’s start (see TeamWhistler.ca)

“The team has come up with a great race course (in my mind); a mix of “everything”.  The first 1.5km is exactly the same as the Olympic Cross-Country competition course,” commented John Aalberg, Venue General Manager, Whistler Olympic/Paralympic Park and Director Nordic Sports.

“We are very happy with the number of early registrants already,” said Nels Guloien, Director of Registration for the race. “We are ahead of many of the other BC Cups for on-line registration. The option of online registration makes riders’ lives easier on race day as they can show up ready to warm up and they won’t have to stand in line.”

Team Whistler Race Director Todd Allison, described the Citizens’ race as “an ideal bridge between a Toonie race and a cross country bike marathon – it could in fact serve as a warm up for upcoming races like the GearJammer and the Cheakamus Challenge”. Riders in the Citizens’ race can enter for 1, 2 or 3 lap races – as they choose. Laps are eight kilometres in length and after this weekend’s pre-rides, the course is assured to be fun yet challenging for all.
Youth aged 8 – 12 can visit ActNowBC.ca to register for the free Biathlon race taking place on the 19th of July as part of this inaugural bike race at Whistler Olympic Park. Non-riders can take advantage of park activities like ski jump tours and experience Biathlon shooting trials.

For information on Whistler Olympic Park, visit www.whistlerolympicpark.com